Joie de Vivre

Or as the American's call it the Joy of Living. Even in these down and out times we need to have the joy of living showing up in our lives. It is so easy for us to just say screw it all and allow ourselves to be sucked into depression. Or we can stand up tall under the issues that are bringing us down and tell them No we won't let them crush us.

I know, easier said that done, but it is so important. I remember days of just wanting to lie in bed and make the day go away. Then my 2 year old son would crawl into bed with me and snuggle his warm body to mine and then I am reminded there is joy to be had in this world.

Maybe not like it used to be, going out to a nice restaurant for dinner, having a cocktail or two and dessert to finish it off. Or a quick drive to a nice bed and breakfast for a night. Maybe now those things and the other things that you did that brought the joy of living into your life aren't possible. So we have to downsize, that's okay.

I think when we are forced to be we can be very creative about our joy. For a couple maybe the corny scented candles in the bedroom and a bottle of inexpensive wine instead of a bed and breakfast. Maybe just take the kids to the park with a picnic, nothing fancy, sandwiches and chips, but the joy isn't in the food it is in the planning and executing of some very important time with the kids. Even if you borrow a neice or nephew. Kids are amazing, they really don't expect much. Love, kindness, shelter, food. But if we stop and watch their joy at their lives, we will learn something.

So one day when you feel you can't find your joy, go to a playground and watch the children running about, screaming and yelling and laughing. There is nothing more precious in this world that the laughter of a child. When my babies were small I lay them on the floor and hold there little arms down and tickle them with my hair in their face. Their laughter, what an exquisite sound. My heart would swell with joy. And that didn't cost a thing.

Even if you are single, maybe a teenager, and school isn't all that for you right now. Find something that is good for you, take a fun summer class like set designing for plays, or macrame, or maybe spend time at the local boys/girls club volunteering. You will be giving joy to others and in doing so you will learn how to appreicate the joy you have in your life now.

Life isn't simple by any means, but we can make it more enjoyable. Stop and smell the roses and take the time to really remember what is good in your life. The more you stop and think about it, I really believe that you will find you have a lot more joie de vivre that you realized.